But the outgoing 54-year-old, who will take over the Caltex Socceroos following the FIFA World Cup, insists the heartbreak doesn't sully their collective effort, which has also reaped two Premiers Plates and an FFA Cup triumph.

"I just said to the boys I couldn't be prouder of the four seasons [I've] had at Sydney," Arnold said.

"To dominate the competition the way we have the last two seasons, even with this result I still believe we're the greatest team the A-League has seen.

"The stats show that and we've created history, breaking so many records. It's been an honour and a privilege to coach these players.